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The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the cancer agency of the WHO, said: "Processed meat was classified as carcinogenic to humans, based on sufficient evidence in humans that the consumption of processed meat causes colorectal cancer."

Dr Kurt Straif, head of the IARC Monographs Programme, said: "For an individual, the risk of developing colorectal cancer because of their consumption of processed meat remains small, but this risk increases with the amount of meat consumed.

"In view of the large number of people who consume processed meat, the global impact on cancer incidence is of public health importance."

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Processed meats have been classified

Processed meat was classified as carcinogenic to humans

International Agency for Research on Cancer

Dr Christopher Wild, director of IARC, said: "These findings further support current public health recommendations to limit intake of meat."

But the critics stressed to the public there were health benefits to eating red meat.

Emeritus Professor of Neurobiology at the University of Cardiff and a member of the Meat Advisory Panel, Professor Robert Pickard notes: “Red and processed meat do not give you cancer and actually the IARC report is not saying that eating processed meat is as harmful as smoking.

"In fact comparing red meat to smoking is ridiculous."

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Processed meats are in in the top five most harmful substances along with cigarettes

Government experts recommend up to 70g of red meat a day and have recommended that people curb their intake of processed meats such as ham, bacon and salami.

This coincides with the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) which advises people to reduce their bowel cancer risk by limiting their consumption of cooked red meat, such as beef, pork and lamb, to no more than 500g per week.

The WCRF has warned for several years there is "strong evidence" consuming a lot of red meat can cause bowel cancer.

One possible reason is the compound that gives red meat its colour, haem, may damage the lining of the bowel.

Meat which has been preserved by smoking, curing, salting or by adding preservatives can also lead to cancer-causing substances to form.

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Red meat has also been linked to cancer

A study published in Lancet Oncology also said "high-temperature cooking by pan-frying, grilling, or barbecuing generally produces the highest amounts" of carcinogenic chemicals.

Studies also show people who eat a lot of red meat tend to eat fewer plant-based foods that protect against cancer.

The average intake of red meat in UK adults per day is 71g - including 17g of processed meat - according to the latest National Diet and Nutrition Survey.

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Government experts recommend up to 70g of red meat a day

Meurig Raymond, president of the National Farmers' Union, said: "We know there is a complex relationship between diet, exercise, nutrition and good health, and the solutions to any diet related illnesses cannot be polarised or simplistic.

"The scientific and medical communities both agree that consuming recommended quantities of red meat is beneficial to human health and provides the body with a ready source of essential vitamins and minerals.

“The NFU has always stated that eating lean red meat has an important role to play in a healthy balanced diet.

"It’s a traditional part of the British lifestyle and is enjoyed by most of the population.”